What is Belgium famous for? (27 Reasons)

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Belgium is one of the most well-known countries in Europe- but why?

What is Belgium famous for?

This is a pretty common question and luckily for you, I’m a full-time traveller and I have visited Belgium.

So I am here to provide 27 things that Belgium is famous for.

Without further ado, let’s get right into it.

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What is Belgium famous for?

Belgium is famous for a load of things. From Belgian chocolate to the football team and everything in between. There are so many things that make Belgium a great country, so let’s get into some reasons why Belgium is famous.

1. Belgian Chocolate

The first reason Belgium is famous is Belgian chocolate. The clue is in the name after all. Belgian chocolate is some of the most delicious in the world, and it’s enjoyed worldwide for that exact reason.

Belgian chocolate is the best, and there’s no better place to enjoy it than in Belgium itself. Although Belgian chocolate is available worldwide, it’s the tastiest and the most authentic in the country itself.

2. Comics

Belgium is also famous for producing a number of comic strips. Some of the best-known cartoon characters were created in Brussels. The Smurfs, Tin Tin and Spirou are probably the most famous.

In Brussels, there is a comic strip walking route where you can see comic strip murals all around the city. It’s a pretty unique thing to do and it’s very cool.

3. Belgian Waffles

Again, there’s a clue in the name. Belgium is famous for Belgian waffles. There are actually more than 10 different types of Belgian waffles, most of which are named after the place where they originated. Across the world, a typical “Belgian” waffle is actually a “Brussels” waffle.

If you visit Belgium, the locals will most likely tell you that the tastiest waffles are the Liege waffles. They’re actually meant to be enjoyed without any toppings as they caramelise and melt in your mouth. If you want toppings, get a Brussels waffle.

Taking a food tour in Brussels is also a must-do! It’s one of the best ways to get a taste of the food scene in the city.

4. Flanders Fields

Unfortunately, Belgium is famous because of Flanders Fields. While this area is beautiful, it’s famous because of World War 1. There were infamous battles here, and the former battlefields attract visitors from across the globe.

If you get the opportunity to visit, I would recommend visiting. It’s an eye-opening experience and it’s important to learn about the past to help move forward in the future.

5. Beer

It’s not a food this time but a drink and Belgium is famous for its beer. The variety and quality of the beer are two of the reasons the beer is so famous, and it’s exported worldwide to be enjoyed by all.

Some Belgian beer brands which you might be familiar with include Stella Artois, Bush Beer and Duvel Moorgat.

6. European Union Parliament

One of the European Union’s three parliaments is found in Belgium. It’s in the capital, Brussels and you can actually visit it for yourself. Seeing the hemicycle is one of the things that make Brussels worth visiting. It’s incredible to see where so many important decisions are made for yourself.

There is also a visitor centre, known as Parlamentarium, where you can learn about the history of both Europe as a continent and the European Union.

7. Fries

It’s a little-known fact that French fries, yes, French fries, originated in Belgium. The “frites” in Belgium are so much better than any fries I had eaten before. They were so yummy. There’s a unique cooking style to the Belgian fries.

They are fried twice, and they are cooked in beef fat rather than vegetable or sunflower oil. This makes them taste absolutely delicious.

8. Brussels

Belgium is, of course, famous for Brussels. It’s the capital city and the largest city in Belgium with over one million people living in Brussels. In my opinion, Brussels is one of the most underrated cities in Europe. It made for an incredible trip.

There are so many things to see and do and there are loads of sights. Such as Atomium, Mannekin Pis and who could forget the Grand Place?

9. Art

Like most European cities, Belgium has contributed quite a lot to the art scene. There are a good number of Belgian (that’s what you call people from Belgium) artists. The most famous would be Rubens, Van Dyck, and Magritte.

There are lots of art exhibitions across the country. The Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels is the best and features art from artists from Belgium and beyond.

10. Diamonds

Antwerp, one of the lesser-known cities in Belgium, is the diamond capital of the world. The city is home to all of the major diamond mining companies, as well as the best diamond dealers, cutters and polishers in the world.

Belgian diamonds have a strong reputation and are known for their high-quality finish, leaving buyers from all around the world looking for diamonds from Belgium.

11. Bruges

One of the cities that Belgium is famous for is Bruges. The city itself is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site which I think sums up how beautiful it is. Bruges is made up of canals and is compared frequently to Copenhagen and Amsterdam because of this. But Bruges has much more than just canals.

The picturesque and charming streets, historic buildings and atmosphere in the city make Bruges one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

12. Multilingual

Belgium is known for being a country which is multilingual. There’s no such thing as a Belgian language. It doesn’t exist. Instead, the official languages of Belgium are French, Flemish (a dialect of Dutch) and German.

To make things even more confusing, the languages in Brussels, despite being in the Flemish region, are both French and Flemish. It’s a bilingual city within a multilingual country.

13. Football team

The most popular sport in Belgium is football (soccer) and the national team is one of the best in Europe. Belgium has produced lots of world-class players over the year, with the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Vincent Kompany all coming from Belgium.

Belgium’s best performance in an international tournament was when the national team finished third in the 2018 World Cup.

14. Belgium Flag

Belgium is also famous for its flag. Even though the Belgium and German flags are often mixed up, the tricolour of black, yellow and red is associated with Belgium. The flag has a strong history in Belgium with the colours coming from the coat of arms.

In the international sense, the flag is used in sporting events, political conferences and more. It’s one of the most well-known flags there are.

15. Royal Family

Belgium is one of the few European countries left with a constitutional monarchy. The Belgian Royal Family is quite well-known too, although not quite on a worldwide scale like the British Royal Family.

Nonetheless, the role of the monarchy and the family are a reason why Belgium is famous. The family are highly respected by the Belgian people and appreciate their presence.

16. Festivals

There are a ton of festivals which take place in Belgium by both definitions of the word. There are traditional festivals like the Boomball Festival which is a folk dance festival.

And there are music festivals, like Tomorrowland, which attract visitors from all over Europe to see this Brussels Summer Festival for themselves.

17. Museums

Belgium, and Brussels in particular, is known for its museums. There are a wealth of museums to choose from, and they are some of the best in the world. No matter what you are interested in, there is a museum for everyone in Belgium.

Some of the most popular museums include the Museum of Modern Art in Antwerp, the Museum of Natural Sciences in Brussels – which I can personally vouch for as an outstanding museum – and the Royal Museums of Fine Arts.

18. Multiple Governments

Being the home of one of the parliaments for the European Union and a key country in NATO, you would expect Belgium to have political stability. But this is far from the truth. There are six governments in Belgium.

This is made up of 3 regional governments (Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels) and 3 community governments (Flemish speaking, German speaking and French speaking). So yeah, it’s a pretty confusing political system and most Belgians will find the funny side and mock the state of their own country’s political affairs.

19. Mannekin Pis

One of the funniest reasons Belgium is famous is because of the Mannekin Pis statue. It’s a statue of a peeing boy found in Brussels and has become a staple in Belgium’s reputation. If you mention Belgium, many people will think of the fountain.

It’s also dressed up for celebrations throughout the year and is adored by the Brusselers. There are also girl and dog counterparts found in Brussels which are less popular.

20. High tax rates

Whether Belgium’s government like it or not, unfortunately, one of the reasons Belgium is famous is for its extortionately high tax rates. If you lived in Belgium, you would pay tax at the following rates.

Income	Tax rate
€0-13,870	25%
€13,871-24,480	40%
€24,481-42,370	45%
€42,371+	50%

For reference, the average income in Belgium is €61,357, meaning most people will reach the 50% tax rate which is almost unbelievable compared to other countries.

21. Flower carpets

On a brighter note, literally, Belgium’s flower carpets in the Grand Place are laid out every 2 years. They are simply beautiful and completely transform the square. It’s an enormous carpet made entirely of fresh flowers, usually featuring a design or depicting something.

It’s approximately 77 metres by 24 metres (253 feet by 79 feet), so you can imagine how large it is, how long it takes to make and how impressive it looks once completed. If you are lucky enough to be in Brussels while it’s there, you’ve got yourself an unforgettable sight.

22. Atomium

France has the Eiffel Tower…Belgium has Atomium. It’s often considered the landmark of Belgium and is one of the reasons the country is famous. The gigantic iron atom model attracts tourists from far and wide and for good reason, seeing it for yourself is spectacular.

Inside the spheres are different exhibitions and at the top, there is an astonishingly beautiful viewpoint. It’s a must-visit for anyone spending any amount of days in Brussels.

23. Castles

Stunning, picturesque castles are dotted all across the Belgian countryside and cities. Most of them are castles straight out of a fairy tale, it’s hard to believe they are real. Some of the most popular castles to visit are the Castles of the Counts in Ghent, the Castle of Laeken in Brussels and the Castle of Bouillon in the Ardennes.

Most of Belgium’s castles are medieval, but some are Renaissance. Regardless of architectural style, they are beautiful.

24. Illuminated highways

A niche reason Belgium is famous is the illuminated highways you can find connecting the country. Most countries’ highways become dark at night, with few lights, especially in the less popular areas.

But in Belgium, every highway is completely illuminated all throughout the night, providing clear views for drivers, and some pretty moody views for onlookers. If you’re a photographer, head straight to a highway in Belgium at night for some surreal shots.

25. Industrial revolution

Although Britain is known to be the country that kickstarted the industrial revolution across Europe, Belgium was one of the first countries to follow suit. Belgium’s industries began to take off at a rapid rate, particularly in the textiles, mining and steel industries.

In the modern world, Belgium continues to strive for modernisation, innovation and constant improvement.

26. Jazz

Belgium’s contributions to the music world are not to be slept on, especially in the world of jazz. There are lots of famous jazz musicians to have come from Belgium, but the best and most famous is probably Toots Thielemans who is considered the greatest harmonica player ever.

And going back to the festivals point, the Jazz Middelheim Festival in Antwerp is one of the best jazz festivals in the world.

27. Waterloo

Last but by no means least of these reasons Belgium is famous, is Waterloo. Yes, like the ABBA song, but it’s actually a place in Belgium. The Battle of Waterloo is one of the most significant battles in European history.

It was the battle that ended wars that had been taking place across Europe since the French Revolution. Nearly 50,000 soldiers lost their lives, and as a result, there was general European peace after Waterloo until WW1, except for the Crimean War.

What is Belgium famous for: FAQ

Below are some questions related to “What is Belgium famous for?” along with my answers to each question.

What is Belgium famous for: Conclusion

And there you have it, a complete guide to “What is Belgium famous for?“

There are so many reasons that this magnificent country is known around the world.

And whether it be for Belgian chocolate or waffles, or for the jazz or illuminated highways, there are so many reasons why Belgium is famous.

If you are planning a trip to Belgium, have a wonderful time. It’s an incredible country! 🙂